Pulse 2016 Execs

Gayashan Tennakoon - President

Gayashan is a first-year undergraduate student undertaking an Honours in Biomedical Science at the University of Ottawa. Gayashan has competedand received awards in several Canada Wide Science Fairs with projects ranging in a diverse number of topics. His most recent project, "Carrier-Enhanced Evaporative Pre-Concentration" (CEEP) was aimed at developing an effective and accessible method of trace elemental analysis of drinking water sources. For his successful efforts, he was awarded the prestigious Manning Innovation Award. He was invited to present his work at the International World Water Week Conference hosted in Stockholm, Sweden which brought together organizations such as WHO in order to address the challenge of providing safe drinking water to populations living in developing countries. Gayashan seeks to inspire his peers with the incredible innovations, and the people behind them, which are helping save lives. He encourages the next generation of scientists, movers and shakers to be a part of creating these innovations. As a result, he diligently works to ensure that Project Pulse will meet this mission. Contact Gayashan Tennakoon at gtennakoon@projectpulsecanada.com

Aditya Mohan - President

Aditya Mohan is a youth leader in STEM from Ottawa, Ontario who has always keenly interested in science and the potential it holds to make a difference in the world. Over the years, Aditya has completed and has been awarded in numerous scientific competitions with his work on biofuels, HIV, and cancer research. Aditya began working at a research lab and has been studying the cellular interactions found in chronic diseases such as HIV. He began to research molecular immunology and developed a novel HIV treatment to stimulate the production of anti-viral CD8+ T Cells. This project won many national and regional award including the prestigious Canadian Manning Innovation Award. Aditya’s latest project involves bioengineering the common cold virus for applications in cancer treatment. His virus has worked very well in on multiple cancers and hold a lot of potential moving forward. His project has earned him many international and national accolades including the 1st place award at the International Science and Engineering Fair and being named as the National BioGENEius of Canada. Aside from science, Aditya also pursues a wide array of extracurricular activities. Aditya has competed in and won multiple national competitions for the visual arts and creative writing and is an avid basketball player. He currently leads a regional organization based on the principles of micro-finance to provide his entrepreneurial aid to individuals in developing nations. Aditya leads an initiative called PROJECT PULSE that aims provide a bridge between professionals and aspiring students. At the end of the day, every pursuit of excellence both begins and ends with a passion,” says Mohan. Contact Aditya Mohan at amohan@projectpulsecanada.com

Praveen Raj - President

Praveen is studying Biochemistry at McGill University. He is a leader, puts his time towards creative pursuits, humanitarian causes, research and is also an athlete. He was Co Director of Project Pulse Ottawa last year and is excited to be back as Co Director for Project Pulse Spark. Praveen has varied leadership experiences, from being a martial arts instructor, to leading his own team as Campus Operations Supervisor for McGill Students Friends of Medicine Sans Frontier. In his spare time, Praveen enjoys playing sports, reading and also learning the art of profiling. Contact Praveen Raj at praj@projectpulsecanada.com

Diana Zhang - Internal Vice - President

Diana Zhang is a graduating student at Bell High School enrolled in the French immersion and gifted program. She is a Shad Valley 2014 alumni from the University of Calgary, and has since worked with IBM’s department of Academic Partnerships and Baskin Robbins. She loves baking, playing sports, and travelling. Diana is a big believer in taking chances and experiencing everything possible. She hopes to be able to help other high school students interested in the health sciences discover their passion, and also prepare for the arduous but rewarding journey ahead. Contact Diana Zhang at dzhang@projectpulsecanada.com

Hanna Tang - Professional Panel Director

Hanna Tang is a first year student studying Biomedical Science at the University of Ottawa. In high school, she was involved in scientific research and won gold for her project at the national level. Hanna hopes to one day go into pediatrics and continue finding cures and treatments for developmental disorders such as ASD. She thinks Project Pulse is a fantastic way for students to talk to professionals and learn more about their interested fields of study! Hanna hopes that she can help make this year’s conference a memorable one! Contact Hanna Tang at htang@projectpulsecanada.com

Maya Perelman - Professional Panel Director

Maya Perelman is a grade 12 student at Colonel By Secondary School in the International Baccalaureate program. Maya enjoys all aspects of science, from science fairs to her volunteer work at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre and to her co-op at the Eastern Cereal & Oilseed Research Centre. She is passionate about the future of research and healthcare and is looking forward to sharing her enthusiasm through her role as a member of the Professional Panel in the organization of Project Pulse in Ottawa. Contact Maya Perelman at mperelman@projectpulsecanada.com

Emily Prieur - Outreach Director

Emily is a 1st year Health Sciences student at the University of Ottawa. Before university, Emily attended a high school for the arts specializing in ballet. This is where Emily’s fascination for the human body began and as she was taking ballet classes, she was working to excel in science as well. Aside from volunteering in local hospitals and participating in school clubs Emily hopes to dedicate time to helping young children and high school students not only to reach their full potential, but also encourage them to accomplish what seems like the impossible. Emily is delighted, with Project Pulse Spark, to provide opportunities to passionate high school students that hope to extend their passion outside the classroom. Contact Emily Prieur at eprieur@projectpulsecanada.com

Michelle Morin - Outreach Director

Michelle just finished her first semester at uOttawa studying Biopharmaceutical Science. She really became interested in medicine when she began volunteering at CHEO a few summers ago. It taught her that medicine is more than just helping one person; for you can make a difference in the lives of patients, their families and even the greater community as a whole. Project Pulse Spark helps connect students to the medical space to inspire them to go out there and help out their community. She knew she wanted to be a part of that.Contact Michelle Morin at mmorin@projectpulsecanada.com

Mohamad Chahrour - Outreach Director

Mohamad is a 1st year Biomedical Science student at the University of Ottawa. He got interested in Project Pulse a year ago when a couple of his friends started it up in Ottawa. He knew this was an amazing opportunity to get students interested in the medical field, so he volunteered his service last year as an ambassador. This year he's very excited to be one of the Outreach Directors with his fellow colleagues. Contact Mohamad Chahrour at mchahrour@projectpulsecanada.com

Osman Sharif - Outreach Team

Osman is a twelfth grade student at Lisgar Collegiate Institute. Volunteering in the community has been his passion for many years. His interests are shown through his contribution at The Ottawa Hospital on a weekly basis by interacting with patients and helping the nurses and doctors with various tasks. Osman also partakes in the Canadian Young Scientist Journal. He is able to inform other students about events or opportunities occurring in their community that they might not otherwise know about. Spreading his joy for science and research through an engaging and interactive way is what motivates him to be a part of this program and meeting other people with the same interests as him is another. These experiences with volunteering, along with the skills gained, can be translated to promoting the opportunities in the community. Contact Osman Sharif at osharif@projectpulsecanada.com

Haley Sweet - Outreach Team

Haley is a grade 12 student at Earl of March. She attended Project Pulse last year and loved it so much that she wanted to help plan the next conference. She is looking forward to meeting you all at this year’s event. Contact Haley Sweet at hsweet@projectpulsecanada.com

Christine To - Logistics Director

Christine is currently in grade and in hopes of obtaining a bachelor of science in the upcoming years. Things she likes to do are: watching Grey's Anatomy, Friends, or just going out on adventures. Her role on this team is a logistics director. She is very excited for this year's Project Pulse, organizing the conference, connecting students to professionals or universities, and giving the participants all the information they need about studying or pursuing a career in health sciences. Contact Christine To at cto@projectpulsecanada.com

Doan-Nghi Dam-Le - Logistics Director

Doan-Nghi is a first year student studying Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ottawa. She started as a member of Project Pulse last year as an Ambassador and is currently a Logistics Director. Doan-Nghi is very interested in the health science field as it brings solutions for families who need answers as well as it brings the community closer in times of need. In her spare time she volunteers in the community, such as her role at CHEO, she binge watches shows and movies, plays sports and she loves hanging out with friends and family. She is beyond excited for another successful conference this year! Contact Doan-Nghi Dam-Le at ddamle@projectpulsecanada.com

Mahdi Ahsan - Logistics Director

Mahdi is a first year student in the Honours Bachelor of Health Science program at the University of Ottawa. He is also an experienced senior member of the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Program and holds the position of Drill Sergeant Major at 2332 Major E.J.G. Holland VC Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. He is an avid volunteer in a multitude of institutions and non-profit organizations across Canada. This is his second year being involved with Project Pulse and his first year as part of the leadership team. Last year, he was an attendee, as a result of his interest in the fields of STEM and medicine. This year, as a member of the 2016 Project Pulse executive team, he is looking forward to be a part in delivering yet another outstanding conference. Contact Mahdi Ahsan at mahsan@projectpulsecanada.com

Jordyn Burnett - Financial Director

Jordyn is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in biomedical science with extended French at the University of Ottawa. It is her first year at the university and also her first year being a part of the Project Pulse team. She is very excited to get started and to have the opportunity to work with such an inspiring and dynamic group of people. Contact Jordyn Burnett at jburnett@projectpulsecanada.com

Josh Kofsky - Univeristy Panel Director

Josh Kofsky is a senior at Colonel By Secondary School in the International Baccalaureate program. Josh has worked as an epidemiology student at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and has volunteered as a student at the Ovarian Cancer Research Laboratory at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Josh aims to study biochemistry and is passionate about the future of the health sciences.

Contact Josh Kofsky at jkofsky@projectpulsecanada.com

Swagat Ghimire - Sponsorship Director

Swagat is a grade twelve student at Merivale High school. From a young age, he has had a strong passion for both science, and humanitarian work. Throughout high school, he has participated in school clubs that promote scientific learning, and local charities that improve the lives of others.His interest in Project Pulse Spark stems from his personal search for exposure to the medical field in high school. Through his work for Project Pulse, Swagat hopes to help local students learn more about health sciences, and further their own passion for the field. Contact Swagat Ghimire at sghimire@projectpulsecanada.ca